Made in Manchester

A rich and vivid history of Britain's second city through the people who made it

‘What Manchester thinks today, England thinks tomorrow.’

Long before Manchester gave the world titans of industry, comedy, music and sport, it was the cosmopolitan Roman fort of Mamucium. But it was as the ‘shock city’ of the Industrial Revolution that Manchester really made its mark on the world stage. A place built on hard work and innovation, it is no coincidence that the digital age began here too, with the world’s first stored-program computer, Baby.

A city as radical as it is revolutionary, Manchester has always been a political hotbed. The Peterloo Massacre is immortalised in British folklore and the city was a centre for pioneering movements such as Chartism. Suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst hailed from here and the city still treasures its wilful independence.

Manchester’s spirited individuality has carried through into its artistic output too, bringing the world Anthony Burgess, L.S. Lowry, Jeanette Winterson, Joy Division and Oasis. Mention United or City almost anywhere and you’ll find fans, and opinions.

Until now, this magnificent city did not have its definitive history. From the author of the bestselling Northerners, this work of unrivalled authority and breadth tells the story of a changing place and its remarkable people.

Reviews

‘Brian Groom fights for northern history.’ Lancashire Evening Post

‘There’s no one better than him to peel back the layers of this ancient but very, very modern city.’ I Love MCR

Praise for Brian Groom’s Northerners…

‘Entertaining and informative. … Avoids sentimentality and stereotypes.’ The Times, Book of the Week

‘A definitive new chronicle of the region.’ The Mirror

‘Comprehensive and highly readable.’ Financial Times

‘This is a huge book, in which the author slips seamlessly and triumphantly from one subject to another.’ Literary Review

‘Hugely impressive.’ Big Issue

‘A rich and kaleidoscopic history of a region, its landscape, industries, culture and people. … As full of good things as the North itself.’ Stuart Maconie

‘A wonderful compendium of the North’s proud, deep, ancient otherness.’ James Hawes

‘An essential writer and a tireless champion of the north.’ George Parker

‘A measured and essential voice in these compromised times.’ Adam Boulton

‘One of journalism’s most astute observers of the state of Britain.’ Helen Pidd

‘One of the leading experts on Britain’s regions and nations and a perceptive analyst.’ Duncan Weldon

‘Panoramic, authoritative and a beautiful read.’ Sebastian Payne

About the author

Brian Groom is a journalist and a leading expert on British regional and national affairs. His career was spent mainly at the Financial Times, where he was assistant editor. He lives in Saddleworth, Greater Manchester. His first book, Northerners, was a Waterstones History Book of the Year.